466:
232:
487:
479:
458:(lena in Sinhalese meaning cave), or "Cave of the Divine King." An account of the founding of the monastery is recorded in a 1st-century Brahmi inscription over the entrance to the first cave. This cave is dominated by the 14-meter statue of the Buddha, hewn out of the rock. It has been repainted countless times in the course of its history, and probably received its last coat of paint in the 20th century. At his feet is Buddha's favourite pupil, Ananda; at his head,
815:
583:
138:
22:
366:
407:
239:
559:
373:
This temple complex dates back to the first century BCE. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. In 1938 the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate
613:
The conservation project undertaken between 1982 and 1996 focussed mainly on the preservation of the eighteenth-century mural schemes which represent around 80% of the total surviving paintings at
Dambulla. By the late 1990s, the majority of these schemes remained in excellent condition, with the
606:
As the
Dambulla Temple remains an active ritual centre, the conservation plans of the 1982-1996 project were directed at improving the infrastructure and accessibility of the site in accordance with its UNESCO World Heritage status. This involved the renovation of hand-cut paving within the complex
598:
Subsequent conservation strategies at the
Dambulla Temple Complex (mainly since 1982) have focussed on maintaining the integrity of the existing complex which has remained unaltered since the reconstruction of the temple veranda in the 1930s. This strategy was agreed upon during a collaborative
325:
Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and
594:
Conservation at the
Dambulla Temple Complex has primarily concentrated on the preservation of its mural schemes. Senake Bandaranayake reports that the schemes were cleaned during an initial conservation project during the 1960s which involved the cleaning of the murals and the application of a
434:, 19 km away. Dusk brings hundreds of swooping swallows to the cave entrance. The largest cave measures about 52m from east to west, and 23m from the entrance to the back, this spectacular cave is 7m tall at its highest point. Hindu deities are also represented here, as are the kings
617:
Cleaning was not undertaken during the 1982-1996 project which instead focussed on the implementation of a series of remedial measures to stabilise the murals as well as developing a long-term conservation strategy to minimise further human or environmental damage.
390:, he sought refuge here from South Indian usurpers for 15 years. After reclaiming his capital, the King built a temple in thankful worship. Many other kings added to it later and by the 11th century, the caves had become a major religious centre and still are.
381:
The
Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka. This complex dates from the third and second centuries BC, when it was already established as one of the largest and most important monasteries.
522:. There is also a dagoba and a spring which drips its water said to have healing powers, out of a crack in the ceiling. Distinctive tempera paintings on the cave ceiling dating from the 18th century depict scenes from Buddha's life, from the dream of
607:
and the installation of modern lighting. Further investment in the Temple's infrastructure has seen the construction of a museum and other tourist facilities located away from the historical complex.
353:
Prehistoric Sri
Lankans would have lived in these cave complexes before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as there are burial sites with human skeletons about 2700 years old in this area, at
610:
More recent inspections by UNESCO in 2003 have proposed an expansion to the existing protected zone around the complex in order to minimise damage to surrounding archaeological features.
867:
862:
749:
506:, responsible in the 12th century for the gilding of 50 statues, as indicated by a stone inscription near the monastery entrance. This cave is accordingly called
857:
574:. The Buddha statues are in varying sizes and attitudes - the largest is 15 meters long. One cave has over 1,500 paintings of Buddha covering the ceiling.
567:
646:
342:. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square metres (23,000 sq ft). Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon
194:
742:
571:
837:
735:
510:, "Cave of the Great Kings." The Buddha statue hewn out of the rock on the left side of the room is escorted by wooden figures of the
758:
414:
The temple is composed of five caves of varying sizes and magnificence. The caves, built at the base of a 150m high rock during the
231:
86:
58:
394:
gilded the caves and added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190. During the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the
39:
65:
847:
852:
550:(1747–1782), the famous Buddhist revivalist. In addition to the 50 Buddha statues, there is also a statue of the king.
72:
105:
614:
schemes of the larger shrines (Vihara 3 and Vihara 2) still retaining most of their eighteenth-century features.
145:
54:
774:
43:
603:, The Cultural Triangle Project of Sri Lanka and the Temple Authorities of Dambulla which ran from 1982-1996.
465:
391:
330:
and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of
842:
354:
187:
494:
In the second and largest cave, in addition to 16 standing and 40 seated statues of Buddha, are the gods
374:
patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and
347:
310:, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 kilometres (92 mi) east of
386:
is traditionally thought to have converted the caves into a temple in the first century BC. Exiled from
127:
722:
383:
804:
179:
79:
32:
658:
430:
Rock, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding flat lands, which includes the rock fortress
814:
691:
683:
686:
Conservation of
Ancient Sites on the Silk Road: The Dambulla Rock Temple Complex, Sri Lanka
8:
712:(Hong Kong: Visual Dharma Publications, Ltd.) ISBN 962-7049-05-0 / ISBN 978-962-7049-05-0
547:
503:
303:
499:
422:
times (1073 to 1250), are by far the most impressive of the many cave temples found in
498:
and Vishnu, which pilgrims often decorate with garlands, and finally, statues of King
872:
684:
562:
The Golden Buddha statue, Dambulla golden temple, just downhill from the Cave temple.
727:
395:
262:
331:
154:
542:, the "Great New Monastery" acquired ceiling and wall paintings in the typical
486:
327:
282:
831:
495:
439:
209:
196:
478:
769:
415:
387:
343:
794:
582:
419:
375:
779:
530:. Further pictures relate important events from the country's history.
137:
634:
435:
423:
307:
168:
158:
21:
799:
587:
431:
427:
365:
150:
406:
339:
311:
600:
459:
443:
335:
319:
276:
558:
789:
543:
315:
462:, said to have used his divine powers to create the caves.
690:. Los Angeles: The Getty Conservation Institute. pp.
502:, who honoured the monastery in the 1st century BC., and
118:
UNESCO World
Heritage Site in Matale District, Sri Lanka
566:
The shrine rooms are representative of many epochs of
868:
Archaeological protected monuments in Matale
District
757:
273:
681:
293:
46:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
863:Tourist attractions in Central Province, Sri Lanka
682:Senake Bandaranayake (1997). Neville Agnew (ed.).
829:
743:
247:Location of Dambulla cave temple in Sri Lanka
238:
858:Buildings and structures in Matale District
750:
736:
677:
675:
673:
671:
669:
667:
473:
449:
426:. Access is along the gentle slope of the
136:
378:, as well as various gods and goddesses.
106:Learn how and when to remove this message
780:Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
581:
557:
485:
477:
464:
405:
364:
318:and 43 kilometres (27 mi) north of
723:Photos from inside Dambulla Cave Temple
664:
490:Statue of Sleeping Buddha inside Cave 5
830:
533:
446:- the Buddha's most devoted disciple.
314:, 72 kilometres (45 mi) north of
731:
710:Buddhist Sculptures of Sri Lanka’’;
44:adding citations to reliable sources
15:
13:
813:
702:
357:near the Dambulla cave complexes.
14:
884:
838:World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka
759:World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
716:
661:, Discover Sri Lanka with Lakpura
659:Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka
647:Dambulla Cave temple of Sri Lanka
401:
237:
230:
20:
708:von Schroeder, Ulrich. (1990).
577:
546:style during the reign of King
418:(1st century BC to 993 AD) and
31:needs additional citations for
652:
640:
628:
1:
621:
392:Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa
122:Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple
7:
848:Buddhist caves in Sri Lanka
526:to temptation by the demon
294:
274:
10:
889:
553:
360:
129:UNESCO World Heritage Site
853:Cave temples of Sri Lanka
811:
785:Golden Temple of Dambulla
765:
635:Golden Temple of Dambulla
454:The first cave is called
384:Valagamba of Anuradhapura
300:Golden Temple of Dambulla
286:
266:
225:
186:
174:
164:
144:
135:
126:
805:Sinharaja Forest Reserve
469:Golden temple of Dambula
482:Dhambulla Cave Interior
474:Cave of the Great Kings
450:Cave of the Divine King
326:statues are related to
819:
591:
563:
491:
483:
470:
411:
370:
55:"Dambulla cave temple"
817:
585:
561:
512:Bodhisattvas Maitreya
489:
481:
468:
409:
368:
348:Buddha's first sermon
334:. The latter include
298:), also known as the
595:protective coating.
538:The third cave, the
287:தம்புள்ளை பொற்கோவில்
275:Dam̆būlla Raja Maha
267:දඹුල්ල රජ මහා විහාරය
259:Dambulla cave temple
210:7.85667°N 80.64917°E
40:improve this article
843:Anuradhapura period
548:Kirti Sri Rajasinha
534:Great New Monastery
504:King Nissanka Malla
304:World Heritage Site
206: /
123:
820:
592:
564:
500:Vattagamani Abhaya
492:
484:
471:
412:
371:
332:gods and goddesses
295:Tampuḷḷai Poṟkōvil
121:
825:
824:
818:Flag of Sri Lanka
775:Central Highlands
568:Sinhala sculpture
292:
272:
256:
255:
215:7.85667; 80.64917
116:
115:
108:
90:
880:
752:
745:
738:
729:
728:
696:
695:
689:
679:
662:
656:
650:
644:
638:
632:
599:project between
540:Maha Alut Vihara
396:Kingdom of Kandy
369:View of Dambulla
297:
291:romanized:
290:
288:
280:
271:romanized:
270:
268:
241:
240:
234:
221:
220:
218:
217:
216:
211:
207:
204:
203:
202:
199:
140:
130:
124:
120:
111:
104:
100:
97:
91:
89:
48:
24:
16:
888:
887:
883:
882:
881:
879:
878:
877:
828:
827:
826:
821:
809:
761:
756:
719:
705:
703:Further reading
700:
699:
680:
665:
657:
653:
649:, Walkers Tours
645:
641:
633:
629:
624:
580:
556:
536:
516:Avalokiteshvara
476:
452:
410:Dambulla-buddha
404:
363:
252:
251:
250:
249:
248:
244:
243:
242:
214:
212:
208:
205:
200:
197:
195:
193:
192:
155:Matale District
128:
119:
112:
101:
95:
92:
49:
47:
37:
25:
12:
11:
5:
886:
876:
875:
870:
865:
860:
855:
850:
845:
840:
823:
822:
812:
810:
808:
807:
802:
797:
792:
787:
782:
777:
772:
766:
763:
762:
755:
754:
747:
740:
732:
726:
725:
718:
717:External links
715:
714:
713:
704:
701:
698:
697:
663:
651:
639:
626:
625:
623:
620:
579:
576:
555:
552:
535:
532:
475:
472:
451:
448:
403:
402:The five caves
400:
362:
359:
328:Gautama Buddha
254:
253:
246:
245:
236:
235:
229:
228:
227:
226:
223:
222:
190:
184:
183:
176:
172:
171:
166:
162:
161:
148:
142:
141:
133:
132:
117:
114:
113:
28:
26:
19:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
885:
874:
871:
869:
866:
864:
861:
859:
856:
854:
851:
849:
846:
844:
841:
839:
836:
835:
833:
816:
806:
803:
801:
798:
796:
793:
791:
788:
786:
783:
781:
778:
776:
773:
771:
768:
767:
764:
760:
753:
748:
746:
741:
739:
734:
733:
730:
724:
721:
720:
711:
707:
706:
693:
688:
687:
678:
676:
674:
672:
670:
668:
660:
655:
648:
643:
636:
631:
627:
619:
615:
611:
608:
604:
602:
596:
590:golden temple
589:
584:
575:
573:
569:
560:
551:
549:
545:
541:
531:
529:
525:
521:
517:
513:
509:
508:Maharaja lena
505:
501:
497:
488:
480:
467:
463:
461:
457:
456:Devaraja lena
447:
445:
441:
440:Nissankamalla
437:
433:
429:
425:
421:
417:
408:
399:
397:
393:
389:
385:
379:
377:
367:
358:
356:
351:
349:
345:
341:
337:
333:
329:
323:
321:
317:
313:
309:
305:
301:
296:
284:
279:
278:
264:
260:
233:
224:
219:
191:
189:
185:
181:
177:
173:
170:
167:
163:
160:
156:
152:
149:
147:
143:
139:
134:
131:
125:
110:
107:
99:
88:
85:
81:
78:
74:
71:
67:
64:
60:
57: –
56:
52:
51:Find sources:
45:
41:
35:
34:
29:This article
27:
23:
18:
17:
784:
770:Anuradhapura
709:
685:
654:
642:
630:
616:
612:
609:
605:
597:
593:
586:A pagoda at
578:Conservation
565:
539:
537:
527:
523:
519:
515:
511:
507:
493:
455:
453:
416:Anuradhapura
413:
388:Anuradhapura
380:
376:bodhisattvas
372:
352:
324:
299:
258:
257:
102:
96:January 2015
93:
83:
76:
69:
62:
50:
38:Please help
33:verification
30:
795:Polonnaruwa
572:Sinhala art
420:Polonnaruwa
355:Ibbankatuwa
213: /
188:Coordinates
178:1991 (15th
175:Inscription
832:Categories
622:References
306:(1991) in
201:80°38′57″E
66:newspapers
436:Valagamba
424:Sri Lanka
308:Sri Lanka
198:7°51′24″N
165:Reference
159:Sri Lanka
873:Dambulla
800:Sigiriya
637:, UNESCO
588:Dambulla
524:Mahamaya
432:Sigiriya
428:Dambulla
338:and the
277:Vihāraya
151:Dambulla
146:Location
554:Statues
361:History
340:Ganesha
312:Colombo
302:, is a
263:Sinhala
180:Session
80:scholar
601:UNESCO
460:Vishnu
444:Ananda
442:, and
346:, and
336:Vishnu
320:Matale
82:
75:
68:
61:
53:
790:Kandy
544:Kandy
520:Natha
496:Saman
316:Kandy
283:Tamil
87:JSTOR
73:books
694:-56.
570:and
528:Mara
514:and
438:and
344:Mara
59:news
518:or
169:561
42:by
834::
692:50
666:^
398:.
350:.
322:.
289:,
285::
281:;
269:,
265::
157:,
153:,
751:e
744:t
737:v
261:(
182:)
109:)
103:(
98:)
94:(
84:·
77:·
70:·
63:·
36:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
